Tennis player killed

Former Hesperia High homecoming queen Jammi Arlington died after traffic collision

HESPERIA — A former Hesperia High tennis player and homecoming queen was killed in a rollover accident on Farmington Street in Oak Hills early Wednesday morning, officials said.

Jammi Arlington, 19, of Hesperia was driving east on Farmington Street, about a half-mile east of Mariposa Road, when her 1997 Chevrolet S-10 pickup truck drifted across the unpaved roadway about 1:25 a.m., according to the California Highway Patrol.

The pickup traveled over a 2-foot embankment and Arlington attempted to turn back onto the road, according to Officer Steve White, a CHP spokesman. She lost control of the truck, and it overturned 1½ times.

Farmington Street is a dirt road that is not maintained by San Bernardino County, according to White.

Arlington, who was not wearing a seat belt, was ejected during the rollover collision, according to White. The CHP is still investigating the crash. It was unknown how fast the truck was going.

Firefighters at the scene pronounced Arlington dead shortly after the crash. The San Bernardino County Coroner’s Office described the cause of death as blunt force chest injury, said Deputy Coroner Randy Emon, spokesman.

Arlington is the second local tennis player to die in a traffic collision in less than a week. Hesperia resident and tennis standout Kory Rudow, 21, died in a traffic collision on Pebble Beach Drive at Ridgecrest Road on May 27. His funeral is Friday.

Arlington played for Hesperia High tennis coach Jim Taper while Rudow served as an assistant coach.

"That’s two players or coaches of mine that I've lost" in four days, Taper said. "One is too many."

Arlington played varsity tennis for two years, including singles and doubles, Taper said. She was very competitive on the tennis court and was well-liked by her teammates, he said.

Arlington was crowned Hesperia High’s Homecoming Queen in October 2002.

"I just always remember that she always had a positive attitude," Taper said. "She was smiling most of the time, and she seemed to have a lot of friends."